I’ve been hankering for the past few weeks to spend the night outside. I’ve had opportunities, but I begged off because the overnight lows are still in the mid-30s. I’d be okay sleeping in that; the idea of getting out from under a warm down quilt at 7 a.m. when it’s 36°F? Ugh.

I had Friday off, and I planned to head out to the Juniper Dunes Wilderness to possibly spend the night – despite the cold nighttime temperatures. I dawdled. I hemmed & hawed. I put it off, yet again. I was at risk of doing the same thing Saturday but I managed to get my pack loaded & head out the door at the crack of 1 p.m.